Ocean Grove sits second on the Bellarine Netball League A Grade ladder after successive victories against Modewarre and Newcomb.
The Grubbers had to work hard to put away a determined Newcomb on Saturday June 10, eventually winning 58 to 44.
Defender Mia Smith said the performance on Saturday wasn’t the Grubbers’ best for the season, but that they got the job done.
“I think the whole league is a lot stronger this year which is really nice,” she said.
“It probably wasn’t our strongest performance as a team but there were definitely patches where we played top grade netball.”
Ocean Grove’s defence, led by star goalkeeper Kelsey Ollis, has had a makeover this season with the injection of several new players.
“We pretty much had a whole new defensive end, but we’ve gelled quickly and we are fortunate enough to be able to rotate through four or five defenders,” 21-year-old Smith said.
Ollis, Laura Ritchie and Smith herself played superb games.
“She’s (Ritchie) a little jet and just plays with 100 percent intensity,” Smith said.
Ocean Grove meets Drysdale this weekend in a game it is expected to win although the Hawks are only two games outside the five.
“They will bring a level of physicality that we will have to be prepared for,” Smith said.
“They will come out really strong, it’s up to us to be matching their intensity and playing to our strengths.”
Tina Birch played her 250th game for the Grubbers last Saturday in the unbeaten D Grade side.
“It’s a pretty amazing feat to play 250 games, but also 250 at the one club,” Smith said.
“She’s definitely a big personality around the club. Everyone knows Tina and loves her.”
ROUND 10
A Grade: Ocean Grove 58 def Newcomb 44. Best: Kelsey Ollis, Laura Ritchie, Mia Smith.
B Grade: Ocean Grove 55 def Newcomb 19. Best: not supplied.
C Grade: Ocean Grove 27 def by Newcomb 27. Best: Kellie Morrish, Remi Bennett, Charlotte Teague.
D Grade: Ocean Grove 38 def Newcomb 16. Best: Tina Birch, Monet New, Maya Hamilton.
E Grade: not supplied
19 & Under: Ocean Grove bye
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove bye
17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 41 def Newcomb 14. Best: Georgie Collett, Bella Wearmouth, Molly McLean.
15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove bye
15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 44 def Newcomb 7. Best: Mikala Martin, Ruby Kempton, Charli Burke.
13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove bye
13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 37 def Newcomb 2. Best: Olivia Clark, Arabella Johnson, Ava Leske.
ROUND 9
A Grade: Ocean Grove 69 def Modewarre 44. Best: Mia Smith, Ashton O’Brien, Georgia Ryan.
B Grade: Ocean Grove 65 def Modewarre 33. Best: Dannie Hoiles, Gemma Bell, Lucy Sampson.
C Grade: Ocean Grove 29 def Modewarre 28. Best: Maddy Goodger, Milla Bell, Mikayla Treacy.
D Grade: Ocean Grove 23 def Modewarre 25. Best: Jorja Connellan, Zarly Smith, Maya Hamilton.
E Grade: Ocean Grove 31 def Modewarre 20. Best: not supplied.
19 & Under: Ocean Grove 33 def Modewarre 22. Best: not supplied.
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 43 def Modewarre 13. Best: Chelsea Ferguson, Maya Hamilton, Tilly Peace-Teague.
17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 30 def Modewarre 20. Best: Scarlett Sadler, Sienna White, Georgie Collett.
15 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 44 def Modewarre 6. Best: Ruby Armstrong, Laura Ahearn, Billie Cook.
15 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove bye
13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove bye:
13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 36 def Modewarre 2. Best: Crystal Wright, Joie Clarke, Grace Tolley.
